Acoustic device

ABSTRACT

A generally cup-shaped acoustic device attachable over the human ear as a hearing aid. The device is a thin plastic shell having a forwardly opening sound-gathering portion projecting laterally outwardly from the side of the head so as to encompass the ear, a rearward sound-reflecting bowl portion, and an attachment portion adapted for releasably engaging the device over the ear.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Barkmau C. McCabe;

John R. Foss, both of Los Angeles, Calif. [21] Appl. No. 872,709, 22] Filed Oct. 30, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 9, 1971 73] Assignee Burglar Blast, Inc. Los Angeles, Calif.

[54] ACOUSTIC DEVICE 5 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 181/25 [51] Int. Cl. ..Gl0|i 11/10 [50] Field of Search 181/25, 26 5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,469,254 5/1949 Bankson FOREIGN PATENTS 286,565 3/1928 Great Britain 181/25 535,095 10/1931 Germany 181/25 364,694 ll/l938 Italy 181/25 43,052 l/l966 Germany 181/25 Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Tomsky Attorney-Albert L. Gabriel ABSTRACT: A generally cup-shaped acoustic device attachable over the human ear as a hearing aid. The device is a thin plastic shell having a forwardly opening sound-gathering portion projecting laterally outwardly from the side of the head so as to encompass the ear, a rearward sound-reflecting bowl portion, and an attachment portion adapted for releasably engaging the device over the ear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Early hearing'aid devices were entirely mechanical, and were generally of the ear trumpet type which had a lar'gebellshaped sound-gathering portion that tape'reddown to a small tube insertable directly into the external auditory canalof the ear. Such prior art mechanical hearing aid devices were generally large and bulky, requiring that they be held in the hand. It was necessary to "use considerable care and sanitary practices in handling these devices so as not to damagethe ear. Devices of this type could not, as a'practical matter, be worn so that the user could go about normal activities using both hands.

While these and other deficiencies of prior art mechanical hearing aids have been overcome by modem transistorized electronic hearing aids which can be conveniently worn in various ways, the electronic hearing 'aid has the disadvantage of being very expensive, sothat in general it is only used'by people who have a serious hearing problem.

Nevertheless, there are many people who'a're only alittle hard of hearing-not sufficiently so as to warrant the greaterpense of an electronic hearing aid-yet who would at times like to improve their hearing with some acoustic device; It is even sometimes desirable for people with good hearing to have their hearing enhanced, as for example, while watching television and wanting to keep the audio volume low so 'as'not to disturb others. Neither the prior art mechanical type hearing aids nor the modern electronic hearing aid devices suit such needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of these and other problems in the art, it is an' object of the present invention to provide a novel mechanical hearing aid device which is attachable over the human ear and com fortably retained thereon so as to provide substantial improvement in the hearing of the wearer without in any way interfering with the carrying on of normal activities by the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical hearing aid device of the character described which is in the form of a thin, molded plastic shell having good sound gathering and resonating qualities, while at the same time being inexpensive to produce and light in weight for comfortable wear- Ing.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical hearing aid device of the character described which has adjustable attachment means for engaging the device over the ear, permitting adjustment of the device for secureand comfortable attachment over ears which vary over a wide range of sizes and shapes.

A still further object of the invention is to' provide a mechanical hearing aid device of the character described which is bilaterally symmetrical about a horizontal plane in the wearing position thereof, whereby a-single configuration of the device is usable on either ear, thus permitting the devices to be produced for both ears from a single mold.

The acoustic device of the present invention is in the form of a thin plastic shell which has good sound-resonating qualities, the shell having a forwardly opening sound-gathering portion that projects generally laterally outwardly from the side of the head so as to encompass the ear, a reflecting bowl portion curving rearwardly from the sound-gathering portion, and an attachment portion adapted for releasably engaging the device over the human ear. The attachment portion of the device includes opposed, generally coplanar flanges on the inner edges of the sound-gathering portion of the device, and also the inner edge portion of the bowl, which together define a forwardly opening U-shaped ear aperture allowing engagement thereof between the auricle of the ear and the side of the head. The attachment portion of the device also includes a rearwardly and inwardly extending stabilizing flap which biases the inner part of the bowl forwardly and outwardly againstthe auricle. The attachment flanges are adapted for the selective connectionof adjusting clips to either or both thereof, so as to accommodate various ear sizes and shapes.

Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view illustrating a person wearto illustrate the manner in which the inner part of the bowl of the device is engaged against the auricle of the ear, the ear and side of the head proximate thereto being shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 4'is a front elevational view taken on the line 4-4 in FIG. 3, further illustrating the acoustic device of the present invention and the attachment thereof over the ear;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the acoustic device taken on the'line 5-5'in FIG. 4, with a portion broken away to illustrate details thereof;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view, with a portion broken away, taken on the line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG 5, but with an adjusting clip fastened to one of the attachment flanges of the device;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view illustrating the adjusting clip that'is shown in FIG. 7, but with the associated body portion of the acoustic device shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical section taken on the line 9-9 in FIG. 7, illustrating in detail the manner in which the adjusting clip is secured to the attachment flange of the acoustic device;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second adjusting clip whichis complementary to the adjusting clip shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9; and

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view similar to FIGS. 5 and 7, but illustrating the device with both of the adjusting clips operatively positioned thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings, and at first particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, the hearing aid device I0 of the present invention is a thin-walled, cut-shaped, substantially rigid plastic molding which has a forward sound-gathering portion generally designated 12, a rearward reflecting bowl portion generally designated 14, and an attachment portion generally designated 16. A pair of the hearing aid devices 10 is adapted to be engaged overthe respective ears of a person who desires to have his or her hearing enhanced, generally as illustrated in FIG. 1, so as to increase the amplitude of sound that is received in both cars from the general direction in which the person faces.

Aside from the adjusting clips to be described hereinafter, the hearing aid device 10 is preferably a monolithic or unitary plastic molding which can be of any suitable plastic material that is generally rigid, as for example, polypropylene.

The sound-gathering portion 12 of the device preferably constitutes approximately the forward half of the device, and includes a generally semicylindrical outer wall section 18 which continues into generally flat, parallel top and bottom wall sections 20. In front elevation, as best seen in FIG. 4, or in transverse vertical section as seen in part of FIG. 6, the forward sound-gathering portion 12 is oblong and generally U- shaped, with the concavity thereof facing the side of the head of the wearer. The entire forward edge 22 of the sound-gathering portion 12 is provided with a rounded head which increases the rigidity of the device and provides a blunt edge to reduce discomfort in case of accidental contact thereof with a sensitive part of the body.

Although the forward sound-gathering portion 12 of the device has hereinabove been described as including a generally semicylindrical section 18 and generally flat, parallel wall sections 20, these definitions have been employed in order to provide a reasonably clear verbal picture of the general construction of the forward sound-gathering portion 12. It is to be understood, however, that the forward soundgathering portion 12 of the device in actual practice has a generally U-shaped transverse section which flares outwardly in a forward direction, as is best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, so as best to entrap the incoming sound waves and guide them toward the rearward reflecting bowl portion 14 and the ear.

The rearward reflecting bowl portion 14 of the device is continuous with the rearward edge of the sound-gathering portion 12 of the device, and has a total depth in the axial or front-rear direction that is preferably approximately equal to the depth in that direction of the forward sound-gathering portion 12 of thedevice.

The reflecting bowl 14 has an outer part 24 which is of generally spherical section, this outer part 24 constituting approximately one-half of the width of the reflecting bowl 14, and being that portion of the reflecting bowl 14 which is axially aligned with the generally semicylindrical outer wall section 18 of the forward sound-gathering portion 12 of the device.

The inner section 26 of the reflecting bowl 14, which is approximately the inner half thereof and is generally axially aligned with the top and bottom wall parts 20, curves inwardly and forwardly in a tighter curvature (smaller radius of curvature) from the generally spherical-sectioned outer part 24, as seen in horizontal section in FIG. 3, with this inner part 26 of the reflecting bowl 14 flattening as it approaches the attachment portion 16 so as to fit comfortably behind the rearward part of the auricle of the ear.

Referring now to the attachment portion 16 of the device, this portion includes opposed top and bottom retention flanges 28, .which extend from the free of inner edges of the forward sound gathering portion 12 of the device in generally coplanar relationship in a generally vertical plane. The opposed retention flanges 28, together with the inner edge portion 30 of the reflecting bowl 14, define a forwardly opening, generally U-shaped ear aperture 32. This U-shaped ear aperture 32 is defined in what may be considered as a generally flat, inner sidewall of the device composed of the top and bottom retention flanges 28 and the inner edge portion 30 of the bowl 14. This inner sidewall is adapted to be positioned generally in a vertical plane alongside the head of the wearer, as best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, with the auricle of the ear projecting through the U-shaped ear aperture 32.

A stabilizing flap or tongue 34 projects rearwardly and inwardly from the inner edge portion 30 of the reflecting bowl l4, i.e., from the bottom of the U of the ear aperture 32. The stabilizing flap 34 has a slightly convex inner surface 36 adapted to rest against the honey structure immediately to the rear of the ear. The flap 34 is an integral, generally rigid part of the device 10, and serves to push the inner section 26 of the bowl 14 of the device outwardly and forwardly against the rearward part of the auricle of the ear. Because of the resiliency or bendability of the auricle, the rearward part of the auricle is bent outwardly and forwardly generally as shown in FIG. 3, and the resulting resiliency biased reaction force between the rear part of the auricle and the inner section 26 of the bowl serves to securely lock the hearing aid device onto the ear. Additionally, the stabilizing flap 34, by thus pushing the inner bowl section 26 outwardly against the rear part of the ear, causes the rear part of the ear to curve outwardly and forwardly generally in conformity with the inner bowl section 26, so that the auricle itself will be directed more forwardly and hence more in the direction of the incoming sound. This causes the ear to pick up more direct incoming sound.

The height of the hearing aid device 10 between the top and bottom walls 20 is approximately that of a relatively large human ear, and the device is adapted to be engaged over a relatively large ear without the aid of adjusting clips, the upper retention flange 28 being engageable in the V between the top of the ear and the side of the head, and the lower retention flange 28 normally being engageable between the lobe at the bottom of the ear and the side of the head. This attachment of the hearing aid device 10 to the relatively large human car without the aid of adjusting clips is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings. in the event the ear is unusually long, or has a lobe portion which is not a discrete appendage but attaches or fairs into the side of the head, then the lower flange 28 can be brought along the outside of the lobe, and secure attachment is nevertheless effected by engagement of the upper flange 28 over the top of the ear and the inner bowl section 26 behind the ear.

Attachment of the hearing aid device 10 to the ear is preferably effected by directing the open forward end of the device either upwardly from the bottom of the ear or downwardly from the top of the ear, generally at right angles to the final operative direction of the axis of the device, and then twisting the device onto the ear into its final position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4.

The slightly outwardly flaring forward sound-gathering portion 12 of the device, the rearward reflecting bowl portion 14 of the device, and the auricle of the ear and side of the head define an acoustic chamber which is highly efficient in picking up sounds principally from in front of the wearer and directing these sounds into the outer auditory canal of the ear. The continuous curvature of the device from the forward edge 22 through the constricting oval sound-gathering portion 12 into the rearward reflecting bowl portion 14, coupled with the thin, membranous nature of the wall of the device, combine to give the device a resonating chamber effect which appears to amplify the sound waves that are gathered in the device.

In its preferred form the hearing aid device of the present invention is bilaterally symmetrical about a generally horizontal plane which bisects the body of the device in its normal operative position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6. This permits the same hearing aid device 10 to be operatively engaged over either ear, thus simplifying manufacture and making the devices more economical to produce. The bilaterally symmetrical configuration of the forward sound gathering portion 12 and rearward reflecting bowl portion 14 of the device appear to be the most effective acoustic chamber configuration for gathering sound waves coming generally from the front of the user, and amplifying these sound waves and directing them into the outer auditory canal of the ear. Flanges 28 of the same depth appear to be generally satisfactory for engagement with both the top and bottom portions of the ear.

The excellent acoustic qualities of the device result in substantial amplification of sounds coming generally from in front of the wearer, as compared withthe amplitude of the same sounds without wearing the device. At the same time, the novel combination of the oval forward sound-gathering portion 12 and rearward reflecting bowl portion 14 does not appear to introduce any material distortion into the sounds that are received, and in particular, does not interfere with reception by introducing any unwanted sound effects such as the usual seashell" effect that would be expected from placing any cup-shaped device over the human ear.

It has been found in experimental use of acoustic devices according to the invention that the devices may be employed effectively regardless of whether or not the user is wearing glasses, and regardless of the type of hairdo which the man or woman employing the acoustic devices may have. The stabilizing flaps or tongues 34 of the devices will nonnally simply extend over the rear end portions of the arms of the glasses, and will simply rest against the hair behind the ears regardless of the type of hairdo worn.

The free edges of the retention flanges 28 are provided with out-turned beads 38, which extend from the rear ends of the flanges 28 forwardly, terminating in their forward ends at enlarged ledges 40. These beads 38 and ledges 40 provide a desirable rounded thickness to the flanges where the flanges engage against the ear, for comfort to the wearer. Additionally, these beads 38 and ledges 40 provide means for retaining a pair of adjusting clips 42 and 44 on the respective flanges 28, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 11 of the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 7 through 11, the two adjusting clips 42 and 44 are complementary in configuration, being mirror images of each other, one of the clips being adapted for snapon attachment to one of the retention flanges 28, and the other clip being adapted for similar snap-on attachment to the other retention flange 28. Each of the adjusting clips 42 and 44 includes an elongated body 46, which is substantially thicker than the flanges 28. Projecting from the body 46 along one side thereof, is a pair of axially spaced, coplanar tabs 48 and 50. Similarly projecting from the body in a plane that is parallel to but offset from the plane of the tabs 48 and 50 is a single tab 52 located intermediate the tabs 48 and 50 in the axial direction. The single intermediate tab 52,is provided with a head 54 along its free edge, thebead 54 extending toward the plane of the axially spaced tabs 48 and 50.

It will be seen that each of the adjusting clips 42 and 44 will fit only one of the opposed retention flanges 28. The adjusting clip 42 or 44 is attached to its respective retention flange 28 by simply engaging the pair of axially spaced tabs 48 and 50 thereof under the flange 28, as best seen in FIGS. 7, 9, and 11, while at the same time engaging the single intermediate tab 52 over the flange 28. The adjusting clips are made of a plastic material which is generally rigid, but which has sufficient resiliency to allow the bead 54 on the intermediate tab 52 to snap over the complementary bead 38 on the flange 28 into interlocking relationship as best illustrated in FIG. 9. The ledge 40 presents stop means against which the forward end of the bead 52 on the intermediate tab abuts to prevent the adjusting clip from sliding forwardly ofl' of the respective flange 28.

For a relatively small ear, both of the adjusting clips 42 and 44 may be snapped into position on the respective retention flanges 28 so as to provide an ear aperture 32 of minimum size. For an ear of intermediate size, one of the adjusting clips 42 or 44 may be attached to the respective retention flange 28, as for example, the single adjusting clip 42 being attached to the flange 28 as shown in FIG. 7. In the latter case, the generally U-shaped ear aperture 32 will be of intermediate size. Some people will find that when only a single adjusting clip is employed, it will be more comfortable or will have better retention characteristics when it is attached to the upper retention flange 28. On the other hand, other people will find a single adjusting clip to be more comfortable or to provide better retention characteristics when it is on the lower retention flange. This choice will be up to the person wearing the hearing aid device.

Acoustic devices according to the present invention will normally be sold in pairs, so that a pair of the devices can be simultaneously worn on both ears. It is contemplated that a pair of the adjusting clips 42 and 44 will be furnished with each device that is sold, so that each purchaser can set up his devices in any one of the four states of adjustment, namely (1') with no adjusting clips attached, (2) with one adjusting clip attached to the upper flange of each device, (3) with one adjusting clip attached to the lower flange of each device, or (4) with adjusting clips attached to both the upper and lower retention flanges.

It will be noted that the opposed, free edges of the retention flanges 28 are generally straight and parallel. This configuration is desirable to facilitate molding of the device 10 as a unitary structure, and it appears to provide satisfactory retention of the device on the ear. However, concave retention edges are preferable, and accordingly, the retention edges 56 of the adjusting clips 42 and 44 are concavely curved, as best illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 11, for optimum retention characteristics of the hearing aid device when attached to the ear.

Although we have herein shown and described our invention in what we have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of our invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:

1. An acoustic device attachable over the human ear as a hearing aid, which comprises a thin, generally rigid cupshaped shell having a forward, forwardly opening soundgathering portion adapted to project generally laterally outwardly from the side of the head so as to encompass the ear, a rearward reflecting bowl portion curving rearwardly from said sound-gathering portion, and an attachment portion adapted for releasably engaging the device over the ear, said soundgathering portion being generally U-shaped in transverse section with generally parallel inner edges adapted to lie alongside the head above and below the ear, said attachment portion including opposed flanges extending generally toward each other from said inner edges of the sound-gathering portion, said flanges being in generally coplanar relationship, being adapted to lie in a generally vertical plane alongside the head, said reflecting bowl portion having an inner section that curves inwardly and forwardly from the rearwardmost part of the bowl, terminating at an inner edge portion which, together with the free edges of said flanges, defines a forwardly opening, generally U-shaped ear aperture, and said attachment portion also including a stabilizing flap which projects rearwardly and inwardly from said inner edge portion of the bowl at a substantial angle relative to the plane of said flanges, said stabilizing flap being adapted to engage the head behind the car so as to push said inner section of the bowl outwardly and forwardly against the rearward part of the auricle of the ear.

2. An acoustic device attachable over the human ear as a hearing aid, which comprises a thin, generally rigid cupshaped shell having a forward, forwardly opening soundgathering portion adapted to project generally laterally outwardly from the side of the head so as to encompass the ear, a rearward reflecting bowl portion curving rearwardly from said sound-gathering portion, an attachment portion adapted for releasably engaging the device over the ear, said soundgathering portion being generally U-shaped in transverse section with generally parallel inner edges adapted to lie alongside the head above and below the ear, said attachment portion including opposed flanges extending generally toward each other from said inner edges of the sound-gathering portion, and adjusting clip means releasably connectable to at least one of said planes so as to extend the latter and thereby reduce the aperture defined between the flanges.

3. An acoustic device as defined in claim 2, wherein said adjusting clip means comprises a pair of adjusting clips each of which is selectively attachable to a respective one of said flanges so as to extend toward the other flange, thereby permitting four stages of adjustment of the device, to wit: l with no adjusting clips attached, (2) with one adjusting clip attached to one of the flanges, (3) with the other adjusting clip attached to the other flange, and (4) with both adjusting clips attached to their respective flanges.

4. An acoustic device as defined in claim 2, wherein said adjusting clip means comprises an adjusting clip releasably connected to one of said flanges, said clip having a first edge engageable against the free edge of the flange, the clip extending generally coplanar with the flange to a second edge which defines one side of the aperture between the flanges when the clip is connected to the flange, the releasable connection between the clip and flange comprising generally parallel, spaced tab means extending from said first edge of the clip and adapted to engage the flange therebetween, and opposed shoulders on the flange and tab means which resist separation of the clip from the flange.

5. An acoustic device as defined in claim 4, wherein said opposed shoulders are defined by opposed beads on one side of the flange adjacent the free e cige thereof and on the respective tab means.

l I '0 k i 

1. An acoustic device attachable over the human ear as a hearing aid, which comprises a thin, generally rigid cup-shaped shell having a forward, forwardly opening sound-gathering portion adapted to project generally laterally outwardly from the side of the head so as to encompass the ear, a rearward reflecting bowl portion curving rearwardly from said sound-gathering portion, and an attachment portion adapted for releasably engaging the device over the ear, said sound-gathering portion being generally Ushaped in transverse section with generally parallel inner edges adapted to lie alongside the head above and below the ear, said attachment portion including opposed flanges extending generally toward each other from said inner edges of the sound-gathering portion, said flanges being in generally coplanar relationship, being adapted to lie in a generally vertical plane alongside the head, said reflecting bowl portion having an inner section that curves inwardly and forwardly from the rearwardmost part of the bowl, terminating at an inner edge portion which, together with the free edges of said flanges, defines a forwardly opening, generally U-shaped ear aperture, and said attachment portion also including a stabilizing flap which projects rearwardly and inwardly from said inner edge portion of the bowl at a substantial angle relative to the plane of said flanges, said stabilizing flap being adapted to engage the head behind the ear so as to push said inner section of the bowl outwardly and forwardly against the rearward part of the auricle of the ear.
 2. An acoustic device attachable over the human ear as a hearing aid, which comprises a thin, generally rigid cup-shaped shell having a forward, forwardly opening sound-gathering portion adapted to project generally laterally outwardly from the side of the head so as to encompass the ear, a rearward reflecting bowl portion curving rearwardly from said sound-gathering portion, an attachment portion adapted for releasably engaging the device over the eaR, said sound-gathering portion being generally U-shaped in transverse section with generally parallel inner edges adapted to lie alongside the head above and below the ear, said attachment portion including opposed flanges extending generally toward each other from said inner edges of the sound-gathering portion, and adjusting clip means releasably connectable to at least one of said flanges so as to extend the latter and thereby reduce the aperture defined between the flanges.
 3. An acoustic device as defined in claim 2, wherein said adjusting clip means comprises a pair of adjusting clips each of which is selectively attachable to a respective one of said flanges so as to extend toward the other flange, thereby permitting four stages of adjustment of the device, to wit: (1) with no adjusting clips attached, (2) with one adjusting clip attached to one of the flanges, (3) with the other adjusting clip attached to the other flange, and (4) with both adjusting clips attached to their respective flanges.
 4. An acoustic device as defined in claim 2, wherein said adjusting clip means comprises an adjusting clip releasably connected to one of said flanges, said clip having a first edge engageable against the free edge of the flange, the clip extending generally coplanar with the flange to a second edge which defines one side of the aperture between the flanges when the clip is connected to the flange, the releasable connection between the clip and flange comprising generally parallel, spaced tab means extending from said first edge of the clip and adapted to engage the flange therebetween, and opposed shoulders on the flange and tab means which resist separation of the clip from the flange.
 5. An acoustic device as defined in claim 4, wherein said opposed shoulders are defined by opposed beads on one side of the flange adjacent the free edge thereof and on the respective tab means. 